Jackson Lafferty

Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, our department works closely with the authorities and the school boards and has frequent contact with the superintendent of school operations. If issues arise, then there are protocols that they follow, a process, according to the policies that we have in place.

Yes, there is a system in place, with open communication and dialogue between our department and the communities. Mahsi.

Mahsi. Mr. Speaker, we can certainly take that into consideration, working with the development corporation at the community level, along with the Housing Corporation and our department. Mahsi.

Mr. Speaker, that is what we’re doing with the communities. We are having the Housing Corporation assist with the development corporations to build units in the communities. With us, there are no ties, as we are the third party. We are assisting the communities in pursuing the building of these units for professionals in the communities, specifically for teachers, social workers and nurses in the communities as well. That’s what we’re doing as a department — our department, working with another department — to identify a solution in a community.

Yes, our department will continue to work closely with the communities. Specifically dealing with the housing issues, we have to continue hiring teachers in the communities, and we will continue working with the communities on that issue.

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the Hon. Member from Thebacha, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Maintenance Orders Enforcement Act, be read for the first time.

For the campuses, we’ve delivered many, many graduates, post-secondary, in Inuvik, Fort Smith, Yellowknife campus, especially with the journeyman ticket holders. We’re proud to say we’ve graduated those individuals from the communities over the long years that we’ve serviced the communities. So we’re very proud of that. The programs we deliver have been very successful in the communities.

There may be some issues that we may be tackling, but it’s all workable within the three campuses. Three campuses are working together to remedy the situation.

Mr. Speaker, we are willing to work with the Members on any issues that have an impact in their riding, whether it be Yellowknife or Fort Smith. We are willing and accepting any recommendation, any advice, any input that Members can provide to us that can benefit the community, that can speak for the community. How can we improve at the community level? Program delivery, where students are living — as much information that the Members can provide, we’re willing to work with it. Mahsi.

Mr. Chair, that particular item has been discussed, not in detail, but the general discussion was that the Catholic school board…. I was invited from the department’s perspective, met with them and talked about St. Joe’s, where it’s heading. At that time I couldn’t share the detailed information, because we were still discussing it as a cabinet.

But the Catholic school board is willing to come back to the table and work with our department. If the cost is higher than what the Member has just indicated, then the board is willing to work with us to identify a consultant to pursue other options...

Mr. Speaker, our department is working carefully with the “G” Division, the RCMP headquarters, trying to get as much information out as we possibly can with all these incidents. Once that is shared with our department, I will be more than willing to share with the Member. Mahsi.

Mr. Chair, this particular item we’re referring to is a renovation to the existing building we’re in. ECE has occupied that building for almost 20 years without any significant renovations.

The renovations are to meet the immediate needs of the staff. That has been identified by the department, and construction is scheduled for summer of 2008. So with ’08–09, $80,000 been requested to upgrade the facility that we currently occupy. Mahsi.